On 4B, the sequel to his equally arresting 2008 album 4A, the 85-year-old sax and flute master sounds very much like a man determined to continue pushing forward, the better to avoid artistic complacency and to keep him and his listeners actively engaged with his always evolving music. He is skillfully accompanied on this nine-song album by pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Todd Coolman and drum ace Lewis Nash, all longtime colleagues.

Many of the selections here, which range from Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train” and Benny Golson’s “Along Came Betty” to Tadd Dameron’s “Hot House” and Cole Porter’s “I Love You,” will be familiar to casual and devoted jazz fans alike. The treats come in the passion and ingenuity of Moody’s playing and his ability to inject a welcome sense of surprise into songs that, in his talented hands, sound both familiar and fresh, welcoming, but not pat.

Having proved long ago that he is capable of playing as many charged cadenzas as he wants, no matter the tempo or style, Moody approaches these pieces in a focused yet unhurried manner. Whether soloing or stating and then subtly reshaping a melodic theme, he has an uncanny ability to choose and play the most suitable notes — no more, no less — without coasting or lapsing into predictability.

His deft, deeply felt tenor sax work sounds suitably animated on “Take the ‘A’ Train,” seductive but not cloying on ““I Love You” and “Speak Low,” and darkly emotive on “Nikara’s Song,” which was written by pianist Barron (who, like Moody, is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts’ prestigious Jazz Master award).

Always eager to explore new territory, Moody recently started work on a book project. With “4B,” he adds a welcome new chapter to one of the more storied discographies in jazz. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait long for the next one.

James Moody

“Moody 4B”

IPO (iporecordings.com)

George Varga is the U-T’s pop music critic. You can read his blog: uniontrib.com/music/ or follow him on Twitter,@georgevarga